1966 Jeep Gladiator J3000 - Man's Best Friend

It's not the dog, it's the truck that should be given all the credit for the hunt! After all, the rig is what got the hunter to and from the chase! We've run across more trail rigs purpose-built for hunting than we can shake a stick at. They're almost always sleepers sporting old rusty and faded body panels, with trick custom componentry lying just under the surface.

Dave Mello of Tustin, California, built this '66 J3000 pickup for chasing birds and elk around his favorite hunting grounds. The old Jeep is a very capable machine and could be used for more than just chasing critters. We found the Gladiator in a rocky wash being tested after the suspension system had been installed. This is one old truck we'd love to be crawling over rocks and rolling down the trail with during the fall hunting season. If you have a cool hunting rig or a truck built for any off-road use-be it around the farm, getting to the backwoods for work, or just recreational wheeling-send us photos. We're always looking for great unique feature trucks.